How Professional Caregivers Provide Companionship for Aging Adults

Lack of companionship can lead to poor cognitive health, depression, isolation, lower immune functioning, and more physical, mental, and emotional setbacks for older adults. Therefore, it’s necessary to increase social interactions for your elderly loved one, and a caregiver can provide that and many more daily benefits. Below are some ways professional caregivers offer social companionship, ensuring your loved one receives the brain-boosting physical and mental interaction he or she needs.

Cooking

A professional caregiver can customize meal prep based on your loved one’s physical and cognitive abilities. For example, if your loved one has difficulty remembering or following instructions, his or her professional caregiver can simplify the recipes and cooking process, boosting your parent’s confidence and increasing his or her sense of independence.

Besides help with meal preparation, your loved one receives companionship when sharing meals with a caregiver. The mealtimes allow the conversations to continue, giving your parent something to look forward to each day.

Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional homecare services. Angel Touch Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Exercising

Whether taking up indoor or outdoor exercises or engaging in other physical activities, such as dancing or swimming, your loved one will increase his or her strength and cognitive health while boosting safety and security. The increased mobility that results from exercising can make your loved one feel stronger and more at ease when walking around the house, going on fun adventures, or lifting certain objects. A professional caregiver can offer help with exercise without putting too much pressure on your parent and give your family peace of mind knowing someone is there to help when you’re not.

Creative Activities

Painting, sewing, writing, playing board games, gardening, and singing are just a few of the creative activities professional caregivers can bring into your parent’s life, whether inside the home, out in public around other aging adults, or with family and friends. The caregiver will know when the activities should stop or when they need to be simplified to stimulate your loved one’s mind and lower the odds of isolation and depression.

Having someone around to nudge your loved one toward interacting with others may be less difficult because the professional knows what steps to take, what words to say, and what to avoid. Because of the professional’s training, certifications, and experience, the caregiver can also determine what elderly clubs, community events, or local activity groups are more beneficial for your parent as well as which ones he or she may be more receptive to.

Older adults who need regular social stimulation should consider professional in-home care. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Angel Touch Home Care, a trusted provider of Boca Raton senior care. Our caregivers arrange transportation to and from medical appointments and social events and provide nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.

Doctor Visits

Professional companionship can make a doctor visit more personal and less worrisome for your loved one. The caregiver will communicate with your parent compassionately, allowing him or her to vent when necessary or sit in silence, especially after receiving bad news or while waiting for a medical procedure.

Having a professional companion right there can take away the fear of being prescribed new medications or having daily schedules changed. The caregiver will know when to step in with your loved one and can do so quickly without causing alarm. The objective is to provide a sense of security and ease your loved one’s mind, making medical visits and processes less challenging.

For families living in Boca Raton, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Angel Touch Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your parent, give us a call today. 

Live-In Care vs. 24-Hour Care: How Do They Differ?

Having a dedicated caregiver inside your senior loved one’s home is essential, and both live-in care and 24-hour care can provide just that. These options allow seniors to age in place in the comfort of home. However, there are differences between the two, which are described below. Many factors can help you determine which service suits your parent’s needs best.

Live-In Care

Although your loved one is receiving assistance, he or she must provide the caregiver with accommodations, such as a safe and comfortable space to rest. While the caregiver isn’t considered a resident of your parent’s home, this individual is entitled to breaks during the day and night and must be offered a home-like environment.

One difference with this option is that your loved one will have a minimal number of caregivers, allowing him or her to build bonds with these individuals. This is crucial in terms of your loved one’s comfort level.

Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Boca Raton live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with cognitive decline or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Angel Touch Home Care to enhance his or her quality of life. 

24-Hour Care

Twenty-four-hour care is the option families should select for aging loved ones who require around-the-clock assistance. However, your parent isn’t required to give the 24-hour caregiver a block of uninterrupted sleep.

Keep in mind that two caregivers generally work 12-hour shifts each day, or three caregivers can come in for 8-hour shifts. These rotating schedules can make a 24-hour caregiver more alert, maintaining a higher level of focus.

Advantages

Both types of care allow your loved one to receive high-quality care, but 24-hour care can be more beneficial if your family prefers to decide how to structure each shift for your loved one. If your loved one has dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, a heart condition, or another serious health issue, having around-the-clock care will be a necessity for his or her safety as well as to ensure he or she receives medication reminders, meals, and interaction.

For uninterrupted help, 24-hour care is often the best option. For example, if your loved one experiences sundowning or has difficulty walking, he or she could wander away from home in the middle of the night or experience slips, falls, and other serious medical issues when going to the restroom. Having uninterrupted care is crucial in these instances.

Families looking for top-rated Home Care Boca Raton providers can reach out to Angel Touch Home Care. From respite care to live-in and 24-hour care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.

Costs & Referrals

Many families have budgets in place for their loved ones. In these instances, it would be best to see which option your loved one can afford.

With live-in care, arranging for the cost of room and board is required, and depending on the location, those expenses can vary. Unless other issues arise, such as interrupting the caregiver’s block of uninterrupted time, you know what you’re paying up front, and it’s likely more expensive.

In contrast, 24-hour care is often provided for a lower hourly rate. If the caregiver does sleep, the prices can often be even lower, but they may be higher when the caregiver is awake and providing around-the-clock help. Typically, your loved one’s primary care physician will make a referral regarding which option is best for meeting your parent’s needs as well as being compatible with his or her finances and your family’s approval.

Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality homecare. Trust Angel Touch Home Care to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us today.